Residents Of Meriting In Nw Lament Lack Of Basic Services

Meriting is surrounded by mines, yet its residents remain trapped in a cycle of poverty and neglect. A place that should be thriving with development opportunities instead finds itself battling deteriorating infrastructure, water shortages and high unemployment.

This is what a resident had to say, Theres no development at Meriting, like the years that Im staying here, ever since then theres not even a mobile clinic or theres not even a community protection forum CPF to be seen. Theres not even a school or even a government-donated creche.

The challenges are unemployment and we are sitting just a few metres away from the mine. When we try to apply for work or approach the mine they always tell us, through the councillor, through the councillor.

Community leaders expressed their frustration over the lack of benefits from local mining operations, despite the wealth extracted from their land.

Our roads damage our cars. They are filled with potholes. Sewage leaks onto the streets and water pipes burst without being repaired. Its the community members who have to seek out private companies to fix these problems.